The Black Rose Audiobook By Thomas B. Costain cover art

The Black Rose

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The Black Rose

By: Thomas B. Costain
Narrated by: David Case
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Walter of Gurnie, bastard son of an English peer, is forced to flee from Oxford for his part in the university riots of 1273. Inspired by Friar Bacon, he determines to travel to China. With his friend Tristam, he fights his way to the heart of the fabulous Mongol Empire and returns famous, to find that he must choose between the first love he thought lost and the exotic flower that he found in the East.

©1998 Thomas B. Costain (P)2010 Random House Action & Adventure Europe Great Britain Historical Fiction Medieval Middle Ages Fiction China Mongol Empire

Critic reviews

"Solid in its facts, colorful and romantic...a rich and remarkable historical tapestry." ( Christian Science Monitor)
Historical Adventure • Timeless Love Story • Great Narration • Relatable Hero • Engaging Suspense • Epic Journey
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David Case does an inspired reading of
this interesting and romantic historical novel. I was in total suspense as to how things would turn out.

Entertaining and informative

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Loved it. Constain never let's you down. The narrator does a great job. I hope to acquire more books.

Another great story.

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I first read this 1940's book as a young 20 year old. Now I am 63. Whenever I need a story to pick me up, I return to it. I identify with an unlikeable hero who eventually has all his dreams come true but none in the way he imagined. Walter matures and develops as we all do just experiencing the trials life hands us. He learns what is most important and that some things in life are not fair.

Historical

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I finished listening to, LIVING this audio book yesterday, and it's going to be a long time before I stop waking up in the middle of the night, and first things in the morning, repeating in my mind the dark-haired heroine's plaintive cry, "London? London?!" David Case (aka Frederick Harrison) doesn't simply read books he PERFORMS them and I, at least, FEEL every emotion the main character experience. I was ready to weep toward the climax praying everything (the most important thing in life) would work out as I fervently hoped in the end. The characters didn't feel like made-up people to me they were all written so real and, sublime icing on the audio book cake, splendidly brought to life by the narrator. IMO they don't write great sweeping and true-to-the-facts (no nauseating revisionist history) historical novels these days, and one that is also a totally engaging romance,

Hauntingly great

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great look at what English men would experience going through the crusade plagued lands and how Eastern ideas were regarded by Western minds.

Lawrence of Arabia type of Epic adventure

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Listen to it! A Great story and a Great performance/narration as well! As a first time Costain listener, this book exceeded my expectations considerably (and by the way, I've tries listening to a couple costume books after waking this one and have found them much less to my liking then this book!

I approached this title with hight expectations because George RR Martin listed Costain as one of the three greats of historical fiction in his opinion (in the introduction of any of the Accursed Kings books by Maurice Druon- this brief intro, which not only gives George's 3 favorite historical fiction authors, but his 3 favorite fantasy authors as well, and can be read for free through a previewing any of the books in that series on amazon. BTW if you haven't listened to that series, I definitely strongly recommend that series just as I strongly recommend The Black Rose!

Excellent!

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I first read this book in 1954 and the book hooked me on this author. I then proceeded to read all the books by Costain over the years. I did a book report on the book and then the next year the teacher called me in and asked me if I was aware that I had turned in a book report on this book the prior year. I said, " no" and the teacher said she would grade the report as it was obvious I had re-read the book and she could see how I had grown as I had obtain different information from the book. She suggested I keep a record of everything I read and include comments about the book. I have down that ever since.
This book starts off in 1273 with the riots at Oxford. Walter of Gurnie and his friend Tristan follow the advice of Friar Bacon and travel to China. The book is the story of their trip to China and the people, events and inventions the encounter on their way. They travel the silk road and meet with the Mongol general on this way to conquer part of China. They meet the Empress of China and are given gifts. On the trip Walter meets Miriam a half Greek and half English girl who he marries. The book also address in rising unrest of the common man in England against the landowners as well as other social issues of the day. Their adventure and escape and the long trip to reunite makes a great story I am sure you will enjoy.

Great Book

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I have loved this story for years and was so excited to find an audible version of it. The narrator's voice isn't my favorite, though that is just an opinion. However, the sound editor didn't correct the way words with a 'p' sounded, which was like the microphone was fighting with the narrator's mouth. That was disappointing. As a long time audible listener I know it could have been done better and this story deserves the best. Overall, I love the story so much that I am happy with it and will listen to it again and again.

Great story, needed better sound editing

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Timeless adventure, and a timeless love story that spans the known world set in the time of the dark ages just transitioning into the renaissance.

Great adventure and love story

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Although staring slowly, the work gained speed quickly. The "rope walk" was a truly captivating scene. The true history in both Roger Bacon and Bayan worked into the story perfectly. I shall enjoy the listening over and over. Many others will be introduced to "The Black Rose".

One of the finest works of fiction.

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